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  India   V Narayanasamy new Puducherry CM

V Narayanasamy new Puducherry CM

AGE CORRESPONDENT
Published : May 29, 2016, 2:19 am IST
Updated : May 29, 2016, 2:19 am IST

Amid high drama climaxed by sporadic violence and allegations of political deceit, Puducherry Congress strongman V. Narayanasamy was crowned chief minister of the Union Territory here on Saturday.

V. Narayanasamy
 V. Narayanasamy

Amid high drama climaxed by sporadic violence and allegations of political deceit, Puducherry Congress strongman V. Narayanasamy was crowned chief minister of the Union Territory here on Saturday. It appears that his strong Delhi links — he was the minister of state in PMO during the Manmohan rein — toppled aspirants, Pradesh Congress president A. Namassivayam and former chief minister V. Vaithilingam.

Buses were stoned by supporters after it was announced that the Congress Legislature Party, with AICC observers, former Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit and party general secretary Mukul Wasnik, “overseeing” the proceedings, agreed to Mr Narayanasamy’s coronation. The guests from Delhi managed the “smooth and unanimous election” of the AICC choice within the CLP, ensuring that Mr Namassivayam proposed Mr Narayanasamy’s name and Mr Vaithilingam seconded it, but the two heavyweights could little do prevent damage to the glass panes of at least a dozen buses on the roads outside.

“Mr Narayanasamy’s election was unanimous,” Ms Dikshit told reporters after the CLP meeting. She had held discussions with the Congress legislators and conveyed “their” decision to the party high command. The Congress had won 15 seats to emerge the single largest party in the House of 30.

Soon after the CLP meeting, party president Sonia Gandhi and vice-president Rahul Gandhi phoned Mr Narayanasamy to congratulate him on becoming the UT’s 10th CM. Now he has to enter the legislature through a byelection as he had not contested in the May 16 polls.

“I will hold talks among the legislators and party seniors here, and consult the party high command on the next steps to be taken on forming the government,” Mr Narayanasamy told reporters, when asked about the composition of his ministerial team.

He said he would soon meet new lieutenant governor Kiran Bedi and stake claim to form the government.

The Congress’ ally, the DMK, had won only two seats in the May 16 poll.

Location: India, Puducherry